Kat,

[I will most definitely look into seeing a physiatrist!]
Call the neuro rehabilitation hospitals or clinics in your area. Physiatrists are often affiliated with then.

Headache specialists can be good if you can find the right one and not just a pill pusher.

Neuros are not what many expect them to be. Few are good at dealing with the issues of PCS.

What area do you live in ? Maybe somebody here has a referral for you.

How old are you ? Age can impact symptoms.

As I said before, one needs to separate symptoms and look for someone who understands that symptom.

[The chiropractor I'm seeing is a sports rehabilitator/chiro who worked for the Olympic team in the past. He also has a soft tissue massage therapist who works gently on my neck.]

Chiros are a real mixed bag. A chiro who works well with one patient can be worthless or even damaging to another. Credentials and past experience should be just a general reference, not an implied expertise.

I've seen 18 chiros in 35 years due to moving and other issues. Only 4 or 5 were ever any help beyond the basics.

[I will definitely look at the Vitamin Sticky! Is it best to run all vitamins past your primary doctor first?]

The basic letter vitamins, fish oil and calcium/magnesium are all safe so there is no real need to get a docs approval. Many doctors think they are a waste of money. Adding supplements like 5-HTP or DHEA or such should be considered more carefully. You parents could get involved here on NT to get some more understanding. Your mom could use your screen name and just say, 'This is CowboysKat's mom' or create her own screen name like CowboysKat's Mom.

[My memory loss mainly includes only remembering bits and pieces of the accident and hospital trip itself,]
Don't worry about this traumatic amnesia. You may never regain these memories. Your brain was disrupted before it had a chance to store the memories of the event. You are probably better not remembering. The emotional stress of those memories playing could be quite negative.

[and forgetting very simple and important words. The words I tend to forget are so simple its frustrating! I have a large vocabulary, as I read a lot, and yet, I forget words like "very", "repeat", "room", etc. Yet, I can remember hard terms in biology just fine.]

Word finding is a common struggle. Many of us live with it. I've dealt with it for over 15 years. Stressing to find the words usually only makes it worse. Learning how to use your memory after your injury may be your biggest task. I wish somebody was around to help me understand my struggles when I had problems after a concussion at 15 years old. Nobody helped.

[When I do remember things from the accident, they come in flashbacks that feel extremely real, suffocating, and terrifying. They always cause panic attacks and then I wish I didn't remember.]
When this happens, try to take a breath and focus on how blessed you are to survive as well as you have. You may have times where something triggers these stressful memories. Seeing a horse or corral panel or any of a myriad triggers. Knowing and accepting that they will happen and having skills to respond in a positive way will be helpful.

A neurorehab specialist may be able to direct you to a therapist who understands head trauma PTSD.

[The emotional struggles have been the most prominent lately, and I am seeing a psychiatrist who has given me a prescription that has helped me a lot day to day. I had depression and anxiety before the accident, and it got worse afterwards, which was to be expected. I am working on reducing stress in my life, but didn't know that PCS makes you more sensitive to it. That explains a lot!]

What meds have you been prescribed by the psych ?

[My sleep is either really good or really bad. I'm definitely trying to work on it. I use a white noise machine, light essential oils, etc. when I cant sleep.]
There is a lot to understand about PCS sleep issues. Insomnia is a big issue. What do you experience when you can't sleep ? What is it like after you have a bad night's sleep ? I have a miserable day after a bad night's sleep.

The body needs proper magnesium to relax and sleep. Did the blood work check your magnesium levels ? How about folate or B-12 levels.

[Right now, I'm kind of new to supplements, but definitely not apposed to them. I've seen what they can do or horses, so I'm interested in them for me. I'm currently taking fish oil supplements, vitamin D (blood work showed I was lacking it, most likely due to my pale skin and lactose intolerance), and a multivitamin. I also occasionally take Arnica Montana for pain. I'm open to any suggestions for supplements!]

If the Arnica Montana helps, it is fine because it won't hurt. If you like math, I can enlighten you about homeopathic concepts.

So far, I'm not easily overwhelmed by the essential oils, but I use carrier oils, and use them sparingly.

[Before my accident, I was taking aleve, Tylenol, and motrin on almost a daily basis. After the accident, my most recent nuerologist had me stop taking them cold turkey. He said my headaches might be a result of the medications. I really had no impovment after I stopped taking them. I take them on occasion now.] He is likely suggesting rebound syndrome, a problem from over-use of pain killers.

[I showed all-around in 4-H, open shows for western pleasure, western eq., English pleasure, English eq, hunter hack, trail on occasion, horsemanship, and showmanship. He was an all-around show horse I finished myself.]

My daughter trained under Julie Goodnight. I understand the sense of loss you are experiencing.

[He came out of the accident un-scathed, but the vet deemed him unfit for riding with a nuerological issue. His flight response is way to strong, on a dangerous level. So, even though he wasn't hurt or killed, I lost riding, I lost my connection with him, I lost my escape, and I lost what was once my best friend. It takes a lot to put all of your trust in a thousand pound animal, and it was shattered, along with all of the hard work I put into him, in an instant. So I'm still recovering from that.] That is tough to endure. My heart still goes out to you. I trained beagles at one time. I miss them. Is Cowboy your horse's name ?

[I truly appreciate everything you've said and suggested. Just knowing people understand what I'm going through makes me feel less alone. Thank you so much for everything, you have no idea how much this means to me.]

Just remember. You are not alone. As I said, your parents are welcome here, too.

My best to you.